Grauzone: Eisbaer Vinyl 12″

Before minimal wave, synthwave, and coldwave, there was only Eisbr. Grauzone were part of the Neue Deutsche Welle (German New Wave), the Swiss counterparts of groups such as D.A.F., Liaisons Dangereusesand Die Krupps. Eisbr is a bonafide cult classic, rediscovered every decade or so by a new, mostly-black-clad downward-gazing art school-attending sorta audience. The title track begins in nature, howling arctic winds in strong contrast to the crunchy, heart-monitor synth riffs and no-wave saxaphone outtro. This is the slightly longer 12 version, not the version on their 2010 singles compilation. Film 2 is a menacing and atmospheric instrumental with echoing tongue clicks, ricocheting synthetic drums, works well at both 33 and 45. Ich Lieb Sie was the B-side of the original 7, raw spoken vocals over monophonic keyboard melodies and wood-block percussion. This is the first proper reissue of this 12 after a couple decades of questionable imports and dodgy remixes. An essential record for all fans of post-punk, highly recommended.

• first reissue of this 12″ since 1989
• black vinyl pressing
• limited edition
• music label:We Release Whatever The Fuck We Want Records2019

reviewed by PARANOID VIDEO 07/2019